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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Chicago Astronomer Star Party

Wednesday - 03 August 2011

I'm aware it's a school night, but I would like to set up a scope this Wednesday for some last Saturn viewing. Pretty soon, she will fall too far down in the muck and be lost until it becomes a morning object. There will also be a nice crescent Moon to enjoy and share as well.

The weather also will be great. The storms will have passed and a nice cool front will wash over the region - offering Chicago Astronomers and fans a great change from the hot and sticky weather we worked through the last couple of sessions.

I will set up at usual Chicago Astronomer Star Party sites, (See above), - either just west or just north of the Adler building for this session. The site we worked last time - along the walkway circling the Adler was successful, but it has it's issues to work out before we return there again.

I will set up at 7:30 pm and remain till 11:00 pm.

Chicago Astronomers who can make it on this short notice will certainly make a good session a better one...

[Paulie pchris00]

A heads up for anybody going tomorrow. A former Chicagoan living in Washington the last couple years is supposed to be coming home for his birthday tomorrow. I don't know what time, but twice I have been on the Stevie just before Lake Shore Drive when Marine One landed at Soldier Field. Police shut down LSD while the helicopters landed and the presidential motorcade is clear of the area. Might want to take this into consideration, and arrive either before or after Obama is scheduled to arrive.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Paulie makes a good point.

But it should be an early day for the President and I bet ok for the later star party by the Adler.

....I hope.

[patrickm]

FYI, Tribune says Obama has a big fundraiser followed by a concert at Aragon. "The president is scheduled to depart Chicago on Air Force One late tonight."

Good luck, y'all!!

[-=CROMAN=-]

I'm teetering because of the Obama thing going on. They may mistake our setups for SAM launchers. Seriously.... I'm going to try to make it.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I'm about ready to load the van with the equipment now...and I think it'll be fine.

The President landed already at O'hare and headed north..leaving the Adler area untouched.

It'll be fine.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Three Scopes, no waiting....

The concerns about the President causing a gridlock were unfounded and the Chicago Astronomers enjoyed a pleasant smooth star party by the skyline.

Our Chicago Astronomer crew for the session would be, Linda, Rich and Myself...

Setting up about 7:30 pm it was still plenty of light to try out the new pleather skirt...

I think it's unisex.

The Moon was an early target and we all slewed toward it to begin with. I included a variable polarizer on a 40mm 2" to build up some contrast in the still bright sky...

The 90mm Refractor provides nice views of the Moon, along with the 35mm 2" Rini - and also allows me to attend to two visitors at the same time...then they can switch.

Rich was busy this session, but handled the crowds very smoothly and I saw that he was having a great time...

Saturn was about 20 degrees high off the Moon and I spotted it first by a simple scan. The Moon gets it's "Ahhs", but Saturn gets the "Wows" all the time...

Linda and Rich targeted both objects and we all had good crowds throughout the session...

It was busy, but not overwhelming and with the great crew on site, the visitors were attended to with ease...

New Chicago Astronomer fan Larry, found out about this star party via the website and stopped by to see what we do. He took a bunch of pics and I hope to receive and post them soon...

He has an 8" SCT and might bring it along on the next session.

I also met a very nice family who were enthralled with all we had to show them, including the E.T Cluster and the Double Cluster...

It was fireworks night at Navy Pier and made for a nice backdrop for our telescopes...

Fellow Adler Telescope facilitator Fred stopped by...

..and long time Chicago Astronomer supporters Eddies Sr & jr...

..and in the mix is our own Chicago Astronomer Skymaster Bill.

And we stayed on-site till about 10:30...an early session...

The evening was a nice warm and dry one - as opposed to the hot and sticky sessions we endured the last few sessions...

A great thanks to Chicago Astronomers Linda and Rich for a smooth session by the skyline!

[-=CROMAN=-]

I gotta lose some tonnage!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

UPDATE:

Here are Larry's pics of the Chicago Astronomer star party...

It'll be nice looking at these pics from a hot and steamy evening in the middle of next winter.

Thanks Larry!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

And...

Four more from Larry......

It has been a busy Chicago Astronomer summer, after a soggy spring. I dig the pic that our fans and friends shoot to include in our documentations.

[patrickm]

Holy Joe! The second one is fantastic! $$ shot!!